‘Stay away from Buncrana’
- man told

A man charged with assault causing harm and producing an article during the course of a dispute has been ordered him to stay away from Buncrana by a district court judge.

Brian McLoughlin (20) with an address given at Lisfarna, St Oran’s Road, Buncrana appeared before Judge Paul Kelly at Letterkenny District Court charged with the offences relating to an incident at his home address on October 28th.

Inspector Michael Harrison told the court that McLoughlin had been in custody since the incident and the State would be objecting to the defendant being released on bail. “There is a strong possibility he will interfere with the injured party who lives at the same address,” he said.

Solicitor Gerard Doyle told the court that, if released, his client would be able to stay with his mother and siblings with family friends in Letterkenny.”My client and his mother can stay with the McGinley family at 2 Canal Road and he is willing to sign on daily at Letterkenny Garda Station,” Mr Doyle said.

Mr Doyle said the reason his client was seeking bail was in order to re-engage with a psychiatrist.

“He accepts that he is very vulnerable and has significant health issues. He is not getting the appropriate treatment while he is down in Castlerea,” he said.

Inspector Harrison added that there may be further charges to come and the file would have to go to the Director of Public Prosecution for direction.

Judge Kelly granted McLoughlin bail on strict conditions that he does not enter Buncrana, stays away from the complainant, does not contact her directly or indirectly, signs on daily at Letterkenny Garda Station, gives his mobile phone number to gardaí and remains sober.

The judge also made the order that gardaí are to be notified if McLoughlin is admitted to the psychiatric unit at Letterkenny General Hospital and also if he leaves or is discharged.

Addressing the defendant’s mother, Judge Kelly said: “Under these conditions he must reside with you and not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, which means that neither you nor anyone else may contact her on his behalf.” The case was adjourned to January 6th.